to that -- Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich practically invented the concept of individual mandates.

No, their only objection to the Health Care Reform was the add-ons designed to make the insurance industry accountable for stuff like preexisting conditions and contraception -- most of which got removed or rendered toothless before the bill was passed (there being no limit to how much insurance cos can charge for users with preexisting conditions, for instance, who are now forced to carry health insurance, meaning it will be literally cheaper for many of them to pay the fine).